Horsford CofE VA Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school This is a rapidly improving school. Senior leaders and the Nebula Federation have been successful in improving teaching and pupil achievement.

The quality of the school's self-evaluation is strong. Leaders know where the strengths of the school lie and where continuing improvements need to be made. Governors are well informed and have an accurate understanding of what the school does well and challenge leaders to make it even better.

Disadvantaged pupils achieve well across the school. They have done particularly well with reading and receive a good level of support. The quality of teaching is good and improving.

Teachers make le...arning interesting and enjoyable for pupils; teaching assistants support pupils very well. The curriculum, including additional activities, provides pupils with a broad range of learning experiences that engage pupils' interest and ensure that they make progress in a wide range of subjects. This prepares them well for life in modern Britain and for their next stage in education.

The quality of education within the early years is good. Effective leadership and teaching ensure that pupils make good progress from their starting points. Pupils are polite and courteous; they welcome visitors and they support each other well around the school.

Pupils have good attitudes to learning and work well together in classrooms. Pupils say that they feel safe in school. The school's highly effective procedures ensure that pupils are safe.

The partnership with parents is developing, with a range of opportunities to involve them in their child's learning. Some teachers' planning is not effective enough because activities do not challenge all pupils sufficiently well, particularly the most able. Despite success at the end of key stage 1, progress in key stage 2 has been insufficient to attain higher standards in Year 6.

A large proportion of pupils do not attend school often enough.

Information about this school

The school amalgamated with the local infant school and in September 2015 opened as Horsford Primary School. It is part of the Nebula Federation, a partnership of six local primary schools.

The Nebula Federation single governing body is responsible for governance and statutory responsibilities. The school benefits from the wider support the Nebula Federation can offer. The school is slightly larger than similar primary schools.

The great majority of pupils come from White British backgrounds, with very few from minority ethnic groups. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is average The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities, including those with an education, health and care plan, is above average. The school meets current government floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' progress and attainment in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6.